Real Horatio Alger Is a Tale Of Failures, Bans, Accusations

Wednesday, August 27, 2003 ^ | Wednesday, August 27, 2003 | CYNTHIA CROSSEN

[presidio9]

Of all the 19th-century strivers who dreamed of a life transformation like those depicted in Horatio Alger Jr.'s novels, perhaps none was as disappointed in that fantasy as Alger himself.

Alger's name is often used to describe people who have risen from poverty to success, using bootstraps, hard work and fair play. Contemporary figures who have been honored by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans include Jack Kemp, Oprah Winfrey, Clarence Thomas, Carol Burnett, Tommy Thompson, Bob Dole and Tom Selleck.

[afraidfortherepublic]

In Alger's world, ... All decent citizens spoke the same language and recognized the same values. Men produced themselves; they were not controlled by others ... and character was the universal currency."

That's my fantasy world too. I often wish that it were real.

[PeterPrinciple]

I often do a survey with people I meet asking if they know who Horatio Alger was. Middle age recognizes the name but never read a book. Older people say the books had a major impact on them. Young people say "who?"

[PeterPrinciple]

I used to belong to the Horatio Alger Society.

Their stated goal is "To further the philosophy of Horatio Alger Jr., and to encourage the spirit of Strive and Succeed that for half a century guided Alger's undaunted heroes - lads whose struggles epitomized the great American dream and flamed hero ideals in countless millions of young Americans."

But in the end they are just a book club and the president admitted to me they are doing none of the above.